Koborewa Corn Meal

Koborewa Corn Meal grows and mills African varieties of corn for sale to ethnic communities in Boise, Idaho.

Koborewa Corn Meal was founded by Emmanuel Nkurunzizi to fill a gap in the Boise market for members of the African Diaspora and LatinX communities seeking traditional corn meal. Koborewa Corn Meal uses sustainable, organic practices to grow their corn on land that Global Gardens, a Boise-based refugee farm organization, helped secure.

IMPACTS

Approximately 23,500 pounds of nutrient-dense food were locally produced and sold in 2021

14.5 acres under sustainable cultivation, 3 acres are currently producing vegetables and most of the 2 acres in transition will be producing vegetable crops in the 2022 season.

Improved financial modeling and reporting, contributing to long-term business success.

Leveraged precision farming and regenerative agriculture techniques to reduce nutrient and soil run-off and protect water quality.

Avoided approximately 7,084 lbs of carbon dioxide equivalents by selling produce locally

Project Overview

With a $22,000 zero interest loan, Koborewa buy a small-scale Meadows Mill stone burr mill and packaging equipment to ready the product for direct sale. 

The new mill operation will be located at Global Garden's Food Hub Facility. The cottage-style milling operation ensures that workers are honored as the center of the operation, by offering safe and fair wages and a meaningful connection to the customers and community. Koborewa Corn Meal planted their first crop in May 2023. Sales will be available through regional farmers markets, CSAs, and an online store.

TESTIMONIALs

“Demand for the flavors for home is high since the COVID pandemic. The commercially available corn meal options are a poor substitute. I have farmed my whole life and have a passion for business development. I am excited to bring my passions together to produce this culturally celebrated food for the Boise community.”

Emmanuel Nkurunziza, Koborewa Corn Meal

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Guiding Principles

We have strong relationships with local farmers and deep knowledge in the local and regional food system built through our Food & Farm program, the Local Food Alliance.  We are deeply familiar with local investing and able to provide the technical assistance required to prepare borrowers for financing.

Impact investors provide capital for resilience businesses

Funding Objectives

Impact Idaho Fund objectives are primarily aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 – Zero Hunger – and 11 – Sustainable Communities. In pursuit of more resilient, regionalized food and agriculture systems, the Impact Idaho Fund Pilot will also consider critical impacts on land, water and energy resources.

SVIR envisions a resilient community with a nourishing regional food system, a healthy environment and a vibrant and equitable economy. Through the Impact Idaho Fund, SVIR catalyzes capital for regional resilience projects that advance local food security.

Funding Model

Funding Model for Impact Idaho Fund model